Culinary Trails

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Not long ago, there was a scientific study that ranked Louisiana as the nation’s happiest state. Many reasons likely led to this distinction, but we’re pretty sure our incredible cuisine played a role. Bite into a beignet and see if a smile doesn’t break out.

Here, we don’t just eat. We dine with gusto. Our foods connect us to our diverse heritage, one that includes French, Spanish, African, and German influences. It is over a meal that we come together in celebration, whether it’s a Mardi Gras gumbo or simply a Friday night crawfish boil.

Now, f lip the page and get started planning

your journey. You’ll be dining like a local in no time. Better yet, check out our website, LouisianaTravel.com/culinary, where you’ll find suggestions for Culinary experiences to take your trip to a new level.

From savory sandwiches to

sweet desserts, you’re never

very far from a memorable

meal.

Relish the flavors of Louisiana’s culinary trails.

appetizing adventures

INTRODUCTION page 1 With a diverse culinary tradition, Louisiana is full of palate-pleasing restaurants and foodie destinations.

CREOLE FUSION page 3 Welcome to a land of stiff drinks, celebrity chefs, and locals who lift dining to an art form.

NORTHSHORE SAMPLER page 4Sophisticated cuisine crafted by chefs showcasing local ingredients.

PRAIRIE HOME COOKING page 5Find down-home hospitality and good food without pretense in Louisiana’s Cajun prairie.

CAPITAL CUISINE page 6With Baton Rouge’s sophisticated city fare plus River Road gems, there’s a treat for every taste.

BAYOU BOUNTY page 8

Acadiana has all the makings for a taste-tempting trip.

SEAFOOD SENSATION page 10The bounty of Southwest Louisiana’s coasts and wetlands makes this the ultimate road trip for seafood lovers.

RED RIVER RICHES page 12The variety of cuisines featured along this trail means you’ll be planning your next meal before you even leave the table.

DELTA DELIGHTS page 14From savory beginnings to sweet endings, Northeast Louisiana dishes up not-to-be-missed fare with a Southern focus.

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Chalmette

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New Orleans’ cuisine is like no other. Since the city’s founding

three centuries ago, French, Spanish, Caribbean and African

influences – and actually, many more – have had a hand in creating

the iconic dishes so associated with the Big Easy. There’s no such

thing as too many cooks in this multicultural kitchen.

Start your journey in this cosmopolitan center, home of the Sazerac

cocktail, oysters Rockefeller, and bananas Foster. Next, explore

nearby suburbs like the St. Bernard area nestled along the Gulf

Coast where the Spanish culture of the Isleños is celebrated and fresh caught seafood

dishes are served up with Creole and Spanish flair. Then, make your way around Lake

Pontchartrain to Louisiana’s Northshore, known too for its culinary contributions. As

you explore this trail you’ll find more than good meals. Come and see for yourself why

this region and its people have earned a place in the hearts of many.

creole fusionWelcome to the land of stiff drinks, celebrity chefs, and locals who lift dining to an art form.

1Trailcarry-out cuisineST. BERNARD Begin your journey along the St. Bernard Sugar Trail

with a gift and guide from the Visitor Center at 409 Aycock Street in Arabi. www.visitstbernard.com

NORTHSHORE SAMPLER TRAIL Celebrity chef John Besh calls St. Tammany

Parish your home with his acclaimed cookbook, “My Family Table.”

ST. LANDRY PARISH Treat your taste buds to the spices of St. Landry

Parish, home of Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine and Targil Seasoning. www.cajuntravel.com

NEW ORLEANS PLANTATION/RIVER PARISHES Bring a Bite Home from New Orleans Plantation Country. Locally-made food products are a must for

foodies – Crystal Hot Sauce, Zapp’s Potato Chips, our famous Andouille sausage and fresh seafood. Packed to go!

HOUMADowntown Houma Farmers, Fisherman and Artisan

Market is held Saturday mornings at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum (7910 Park Avenue, Houma, LA 70364). Visit http://facebook.com/DowntownHoumaMarket for updates.

JEFF DAVIS Come visit Louisiana Spirits authentic distillery

producing a world-class rum from native Louisiana sugarcane! Stop by for a tour and taste the spirit of Louisiana! www.laspirits.net

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Visit St. Bernard and Eat Like A Local at one of the famous TOP 20 EATS

St. Bernard’s

Local Favorites

EATSTOP 20

St BernardN E W OR L E A N S ’ MO S TH I S T O R I C N E I G H B O R

For a complete list of restaurants go to VisitStBernard.com

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All calories are not created equal. New Orleans offers guests legendary cuisine and more entertainment options than ever. So step off the treadmill and hit the road. For your free New Orleans dining guide, call 800.672.6124 or visit www.neworleansinfo.com.

GIVE YOUR

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prairie home cookingFor an authentic Louisiana experience,

don’t overlook this off-the-beaten-path

region. Opelousas and the entire St.

Landry Parish are filled with hidden gems

and boast a heritage influenced by the

French, Germans, Spanish, and American

Indians who settled here. Hear charming

Cajun and Creole French still spoken

by the locals. Dance to accordion-fueled

zydeco tunes, and shop for local art and antiques. When it comes to

cuisine, menus feature old family recipes. Smoked meats reign supreme,

and hearty plate lunches are popular. Don’t be surprised to find the

best meals in the most unassuming of spots.

As you go, take in the beauty of the remaining prairie. Some two

million acres were once covered with prairie land, hosting hundreds of

species of native grasses and wildflowers. Much was destroyed because

of agricultural practices, but there is an effort to preserve and restore

the habitat. A good example exists in Eunice.

St. Tammany Parish, aka Louisiana’s Northshore, is rich in family-run restaurants where soulful food reflects tradition, heritage and hearty appetites, and menus inspired by Louisiana’s bounty.

Eating is elegant at Dakota in Covington and at Lacombe’s La Provence, owned and operated by celebrity chef John Besh, acclaimed cookbook author, frequent guest on The Food Network and star of his own PBS show. Try down-home Louisiana flavors at Louie and the Redhead Lady in Mandeville or LA Pines in Slidell, both featured on TFN’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.”

Great meal and a great view? Try Rip’s on the Lake in Mandeville. Or, check out Friends Coastal on the banks of the Tchefuncte River in Madisonville. In Slidell, dine at Palmettos or Nathan’s, both overlooking Bayou Bonfouca.

Sample liquid Louisiana at the Abita Brewery in Abita Springs or Pontchartrain Vineyards in Bush.

Between meals, work up an appetite cycling the 31-mile Tammany Trace, paddle a bayou, feed giraffes at Global Wildlife, touch a reptile at Insta-Gator Ranch or take a Honey Island Swamp tour. Life’s a feast on the Northshore. Join us!

Learn more at www.LouisianaNorthshore.com/CT.

Find down-home hospitality and good food without pretense in Louisiana’s Cajun prairie.

Sophisticated cuisine crafted by chefs showcasing local ingredients.

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Life’s a feast on the Northshore !



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Loyalties run deep in Baton Rouge and beyond.

They cheer for the Louisiana State University

Tigers and don purple and gold to declare their

allegiance. The morning drink of choice is the

hometown brand, Community Coffee. And the

rich food traditions are a point of local pride.

Travel along the famous River Road to New

Orleans’ Plantation Country and explore grand

antebellum plantations like Houmas House

in Darrow, once home to wealthy planters of

sugar cane, a crop that thrived in the fertile soil and is still vital to the

state’s economy. Several of the homes offer on-site dining, but other great

locally owned choices dot the trail. Continue to follow the serpentine

Mississippi River to the growing capital city. Baton Rouge boasts a

culinary scene of chic fine dining, like Tsunami, and casual college-town

classics, like George’s, where the slogan is “You’ll fit right in!” Perhaps

more than any other, this trail pays tribute to both Louisiana’s indelible

past and its promising future.

With Baton Rouge’s sophisticated city fare plus River Road gems, there’s a treat for every taste.

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Latil's Landing Restaurant | Cafe' Burnside225-473-9380 | www.HoumasHouse.com40136 Highway 942 River Road | Darrow, Louisiana

GET FED. The only thing we have more of than

the ways we prepare food is the number of places

we have to eat food. It’s one of the things that

make us who we are.

SCAN FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN. 800 LA ROUGE

LAKE CHARLES The Junior League’s Marshes to Mansions cookbook is a treat for visitors seeking those secret family

recipes. Check out www.visitlakecharles.org/cookbook

VERMILION PARISH A visit to Vermilion Parish would not be complete without picking up Steen’s Cane Syrup

www.steensyrup.com or Cajun Power Garlic Sauce www.cajunpowersauce.com. C’est bon!

SHREVEPORT Stop by the Louisiana Boardwalk for a sweet, delicious treat. The Chocolate Crocodile’s Monster

Croc Apple makes for a delectable treat to share…or not. www.thechocolatecrocodile.com

RUSTON-LINCOLN Leaving Ruston? Don’t forget to stop by Mitcham’s

and pick up any of their peach preserves, cobblers, sauces or dessert mixes for the road. www.mitchamfarms.com

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Houmas House Plantation & Gardens

Visit History - One Bite At A Time

866.204.7782 VisitNOPC.com Like Us on

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bayou bountyYou’d be wise to extend your stay in the heart of

Cajun Country. First-time travelers rarely allow

enough time to take in the region’s treasures, from its

food and attractions to its people.

Here, the folks are generous hosts, entertaining

storytellers, and excellent cooks. They strive to

preserve the Cajun heritage, which includes knowing

how to have a good time. Join in the convivial spirit

at one of the area’s Cajun dance halls. Taste some

of the Gulf ’s freshest seafood in cities like Morgan

City and Houma where seasons aren’t dictated by weather, but by which seafood

is most likely to end up on your plate; think in terms of shrimp, crab, oysters and

other Louisiana delicacies. Spice up your trip with a tour of Avery Island, home to

TABASCO®. Stroll New Iberia’s charming tree-lined Main Street, and pay tribute

to Louisiana’s official crustacean in Breaux Bridge, the Crawfish Capital of the

World. And do save room for some of Lafayette’s best boudin. Now, go ahead, get

started. We don’t want you to miss a thing.

– Acadiana has all the makings for a taste-tempting trip.

Thibodaux

Breaux Bridge

St. Martinville

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800 346 1958 www. Lafayette.Travel

The Best Food in the USA*. The Tastiest Town in the South**. No matter how you say it, Lafayette is the best place to eat, except maybe your mama’s kitchen. Add in a dash of music, a sprinkling of history, topped with festivals and a heaping serving of fun, and Lafayette is calling your name.

So come see what all the fuss is about.

*Best Food City in Rand McNally Best of the Road® Rally**Southern Living Tastiest Town of the South

TASTE THE REAL LOUISIANA Poboys at Lisa’s. Shrimp stew at Rita Mae’s. Eggplant Jo Jo at Café Jo Jo’s. From crab cakes at Mr. Lester’s Steakhouse to great Creole & Cajun homestyle cooking at

Joe’s on the Bayou, you’ll discover a taste of Louisiana adventure around every corner on the Cajun Coast. So bring an appetite, cher!

(800) www.cajuncoast.com

ONLY 90 MINUTES FROM NEW ORLEANS,

LAFAYETTE OR BATON ROUGE

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seafood sensationThe southwest corner of Louisiana, sometimes

called the Outback, beckons sportsmen. There’s

great fishing, oystering, shrimping, and

crabbing, and the bounty from the waters finds

its way onto the menus of local restaurants.

But the region is also strongly connected to

rice farming, and dishes like gumbo, jambalaya,

étouffée, and dirty rice incorporate the crop.

When area farmers realized their flooded rice

fields attracted a supply of crawfish, they began

rotating the two Louisiana icons. During your

trip, take time to tour one of the crawfish farms (the season runs from around

December through June), then try to wrangle an invitation to a backyard

crawfish boil where you’ll undoubtedly get a sense of the trail’s true flavor.

Start your journey in Lake Charles and be sure to stop in Jennings and

Abbeville to really experience all this trail has to offer. As you travel

eastward, take a respite from taste testing for a little sightseeing along

the Creole Nature Trail, a 180-mile scenic All-American Road through

Louisiana’s picturesque wetlands.

The bounty of Southwest Louisiana’s coasts and wetlands makes this the ultimate road trip for seafood lovers.

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red river richesIf you think South Louisiana has a monopoly on

legendary cuisine, you’re sadly mistaken. Find

your way to the Northwest corner of the state,

where Southern fare meets Louisiana flair. And

there’s a little taste of Texas too.

Start your journey in the twin cities of

Shreveport and Bossier City, which straddle

the Red River. Here, the casinos draw a crowd,

and the setting and resources attract the film

industry. While you’re dining out, you may

just spy a bona fide celebrity at the next table. Other stops along the way include

Alexandria and Pineville, known for their bountiful harvests and famous pies like the

ones you’ll find at Lea’s Lunchroom in Lecompte.

With the rivers and lakes in this pocket of the state, there are many great restaurants

with scenic deck seating. Why not grab a table and enjoy the region’s riches?

The variety of cuisines featured along this trail means you’ll be planning your next meal before you even leave the table.

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NEW ORLEANS ...............................................New Orleans School of Cooking Creole/Cajun cooking classes feature lunch, laughs and lessons in delightful morning or afternoon demonstrations. They teach the basics of Louisiana Cooking in a way you’ll never forget! 524 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 1-800-237-4841 www.nosoc.com

NORTHSHORE SAMPLER TRAIL ................Tours and tastings are free at the Abita Brewery in Abita Springs. Find out more about the tours and other foodie fun at LouisianaNorthshore.com/CT.

BATON ROUGE .................While in Baton Rouge, enhance your culinary skills at the Viking Cooking School Outdoors –

located on the Hilton pool deck overlooking the Mississippi River.

HOUMAS HOUSE ..............

leisurely lunches, Houmas House Plantationcraving. Spend the day, or night, tour the Mansion and eat! www.HoumasHouse.com

CAJUN COAST ...................Louisianans love boiled seafood. On the Cajun Coast, stop by Glenda’s, B & B Seafood or Susie’s Seafood and view seafood being boiled. 800-256-2931 www.cajuncoast.com

Delectably Diverse

Shreveport-Bossier A world of sound, culture, taste and entertainment.

1-888-45-VISITwww.shreveport-bossier.orgwww.20x49.com

Lagniappe at:

Just Plain Good Food!

www.theHeartofLouisiana.com(800) 551-9546

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delta delightsIt’s quite easy to adjust to the relaxed

pace of life and friendliness of folks in

Northeast Louisiana. Here, you’ll find

ample farmland and scenic drives, along

which are restaurants serving Southern

staples, such as cornbread and down-

home vegetables. But you can also find

Louisiana favorites here, including

terrific catfish and crawfish, and a few

surprises along the way.

In Monroe and West Monroe, work up an appetite with a little

shopping along Antique Alley. Then, head for a meal with a view at

Waterfront Grill or Warehouse No. 1.

Travel west From Monroe on Interstate 20 to the college town

of Ruston in Lincoln Parish. The area is home to Louisiana Tech

University and Grambling State. Ruston makes for a sweet ending

to your road trip. The peaches grown here are considered the best

around, so take home a basketful.

From savory beginnings to sweet endings, Northeast Louisiana dishes up not-to-be-missed fare with a Southern focus.

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LAFAYETTE ................................................The Accidental Chef – Experience the unique taste of the Louisiana cuisine hands-on with recipes easily duplicated at

www.AccidentalCooking.com

ST MARTIN ...............Stop by Belle Écorce Farms in St. Martinville and purchase some fresh goat cheese, or better yet schedule a tour of their farm and facilities. www.belleecorcefarms.com

ALEXANDRIA-PINEVILLE ..........................Alexandria’s locally-owned Kitchen Warehouse offers culinary classes with topics including the exploration of food trends and “how to prepare” foreign cuisines. Learn more at www.kitchenwh.com!

MONROE, WEST MONROE ..................Tour this picturesque, family-owned Landry Vineyards in the hills of West Monroe, and enjoy samples of their unique wines. 318-557-0951 www.landryvineyards.com

IBERIA PARISH ................................................Savor the difference when touring the Conrad Rice Mill/KONRIKO® Company Store and TABASCO® Factory & Country Store sampling fresh products during your visit, Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau. 888-942-3742 www.iberiatravel.com

Food that is good for theFood that is good for the

www.monroe-westmonroe.org | 800-843-1872www.monroe-westmonroe.org | 800-843-1872 experienceruston.com 1.800.392.9032

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CARRY-OUT

CUISINE a treat for every taste

EATlike theLOCALS


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mouth-watering

© 2012 The Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism

D i v i n g h e a d f i r s t i n t o t h e l o c a l c u l t u r e .

A f i v e - s t a r d i n n e r i n a o n e - s t a r s h a c k .

S e a f o o d s o f r e s h y o u c a n f e e l t h e G u l f b r e e z e .

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